In 1963 this song was the first Australian song. The hit the American Billboard chart. There has been many that have promoted, but this one was the first. True story
He was a class act,a great entertainer.i always remember him on tv on various shows,when I was growing up,just shows how the mighty can fall doesnt it,
Our parents actually bought us the wobble board sheets to play on when we listened to this song as kids. I grew up in Texas, so I imagine Hasbro or Mattel or Whamo made a fortune - I hope Rolf got some worldwide royalties on the boards! Great memories of early childhood. Thanks
And all you needed was a similar sized piece of plastic desk protector or plexi-glass. We used to turn paper towel rolls into bugle, megaphone or whatever til the dogs tired of hearing it, snatched it and chewed it up.
I like this guy, seems very funny, loyal and trust worthy. Like, he seems like the sorta guy you can trust to babysit your kids. He just gives off that sort of vibe. I am a very good judge of character, and I believe he is nothing but a fantastic person. I doubt there is anyone who can disagree with me
Hard to come to terms with the accusations (and conviction) when he is still the best live performer Ive ever seen. Live at Glastobury, absolutely amazing... few years later = persona non-grata :( Sorry folks but whatever he might or did do doesnt change the fact that he was an incredibly talented entertainer.
I totally agree he was a fantastic entertainer,I'm 72 years old and he's been a part of my life here in the UK since I was a kid, I was really gutted when these allegations came to light.
MY TRIBUTE TO ROLF (to tune of Tie Me Kangaroo Down Sport) I looked up to you Rolf-y You filled my life with such joy How sad it is that I learn now That you were one naughty boy I think you just couldn't help it Something inside you went 'snap' (How could this love-er-ly fellow Be such a predat'ry chap?) Flaws abound in great minds, yes And no-one really knows why Shame to bring down the curtain On such a talented guy.
Thank you Aussie Boy. I couldn't help but translate your very successful verses into German. For my friends who understand less English. MEIN TRIBUT AN ROLF (zur Melodie von Tie Me Kangaroo Down Sport) Ich schaute zu dir auf, Rolf-y Du hast mein Leben mit solcher Freude erfüllt Wie traurig ist es, dass ich jetzt erfahre Dass du ein böser Junge warst Ich glaube, du konntest es einfach nicht lassen Irgendetwas in dir ging mit dir durch (Wie konnte dieser liebenswürdige Bursche So ein raubeiniger Kerl sein?) Schwächen gibt es bei großen Geistern, ja Und niemand weiß wirklich, warum Eine Schande, den Vorhang fallen zu lassen Für einen so talentierten Kerl.
Imagine the relief of being told Jimmy Saville has just cancelled his visit to the children's ward, then hearing the sound of a wobble board coming down the corridors......
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Fantastic music, Rolf Harris was the only idol i really had... Well i can tell you, every song of his have been removed from my ipod, and will never be bak on. As you can guess he is no longer my idol.. Sickening.
@@hoplophile9846 I actually think it has been way longer than that. If The Sims 3 came out in 2009 then this account is at least 11 years old, but I think I had it before that, too.
Believe it or not, it is possible to condemn Rolf's behaviour towards those girls while still appreciating and valuing the enjoyment he has given to many millions over several decades. We don't have to say either "let him get away with it because he's a great entertainer" nor "you can't enjoy his songs because of what he did"
+Steve Rawcliffe You might have some intelligence. For a complete summary of the facts of this case, see the Harry Seldon comment posted 3 months ago (on this page).
+Steve Rawcliffe That's like saying that Hitler's crimes don't matter because he was a talented watercolor artist. BTW, Rolf Harris is unknown in the USA; I've heard about him from non-Americans. To us American, Bill Cosby has taken a tremendous fall, not because of one accusation but because of a lot of them over the years.
+bigverybadtom Not at all. Praising Rolf Harris' artistic achievements certainly doesn't mean excusing or even minimizing the importance of his behaviour towards those girls. It's more analagous to saying "Hitler was a talented watercolour artist despite being the biggest bastard of the 20th century" than "Being the biggest bastard of the 20th century doesn't matter 'cos he was a cool artist" Though as it happens, art critics tell me that AH's watercolours weren't that great. But that's a discussion for another time ;-)
+bigverybadtom Understandable, but I still believe it's possible to condemn the bad while appreciating the good. It's probably harder to carry on enjoying his work if you've been a total fan like that person -- you'll be doubly disappointed. He was never an idol for me, just one of many entertainers I enjoyed, so while I was shocked to hear what he'd been doing, I didn't feel a sense of betrayal.
no matter what an awful person he turned out to be... i still love his songs. i loved them and him growing up so it's hard to not still enjoy hearing this!
How, exactly, was he "an awful person" ? I guess I'm just not privy to all the "supposeds" aka allegations that are assigned to someone, regardless of validity or context. If one were to probe 50-60 yrs. of anyone's life I doubt ANYONE would be of the sterling quality that you obviously must claim.
He put those kids through hell and you think it's nothing I hope what happened to them dosent happen to you how the hell can you say that until it happens to you how the f**k can you possibly know how they feel 🤬🤬🤬😠😠😠
I was in the marching band at school back in the mid to late 80s. We played this song for some reason. I had no clue what or where it came from. That was the only time I had heard that song until I listened to it just now. lol
Except he's like 92 and lost the respect of the world once he was charged and convicted of sexual assault on 4 underaged girls. I just learned of his criminal conduct today! As a victim of childhood molestation myself, there's no recovering from what these disgusting perverts do! I'm glad the victims came fwd and exposed him. I grew up on Rolf Harris music and art, but now realize I was watching him on TV during the same time I was being sexually abused. Awful!
You’re either wanting a reaction or have been living under a rock, 1.) why would you even try thank that vile peadophile. 2.) even if you didn’t know about his rape history it’s a shit song anyway.
*Tie me kangaroo down, sport* This wacky Aussie tune was inspired by a calypso song sung by Harry Belafonte. "It was written as a result of the Belafonte calypso craze that was sweeping the world in the 1950s," said Rolf Harris. "It impressed me enormously." At the time, the Australian-born Harris played the piano and sang songs on children's television in England. He also performed one night a week at a night spot called The Down Under Club, which catered to Australians. "I was trying to come up with new songs that had a simple chorus that everybody in the club could join in with," said Harris. Back then, Belafonte was riding a crest of popularity with his hit "Banana Boat (Day-O)" and had just recorded his follow-up "Hold 'Em Joe."
Recalled Harris, "I liked 'Hold 'Em Joe.' There was a line that went, 'Don't tie me donkey down there, let him bray, let him bray.' And I thought, 'That's good. I can change that and make it an Australian calypso. Instead of a donkey, I'll have a kangaroo in there somewhere.' "Eventually, I came up with 'Tie me kangaroo down, sport.' And the tune seem[ed] to come from midair. It was just handed to me on a plate." Harris then sat down and wrote as many verses as he could think of that had anything to do with Australia.
Lyrics: There's an old Australian stockman. Lying, dying. He gets himself up onto one elbow, Turns to his mates, who are gathered around in the Royal Albert Hall. And he says, ... Watch me wallabies feed, mate. Watch me wallabies feed. Hey, look. They're a dangerous breed, mate. So watch me wallabies feed. All together now. Tie me kangaroo down, sport. Tie me kangaroo down. Tie me kangaroo down, sport. Tie me kangaroo down. Take me koala back, Jack. Take me koala back. He lives somewhere out on the track, mac. So take me koala back. Tie me kangaroo down, sport. Tie me kangaroo down. Tie me kangaroo down, sport. Tie me kangaroo down. Now at this time, the poor old fella's getting slightly delirious. The second to last gasp, he says, ... Play your didgeridoo, blue. Play your didgeridoo. Keep playing, 'til I shoot through, blue. Play your didgeridoo. All together now. Tie me kangaroo down, sport. Tie me kangaroo down. Tie me kangaroo down, sport. Tie me kanfaroo down. And then, with his very last gasp, He just manages to get his words out. Tan me hide, when I'm dead, Fred. Tan me hide, when I'm dead. So, we tanned his hide, when he died, Clyde. That's it hanging on the shed. All together now. Tie me kangaroo down, sport. Tie me kangaroo down. Tie me kangaroo down, sport. Tie me kangaroo down. A-One more time, now. Tie me kangaroo down, sport. Tie me kangaroo down. Tie me kangaroo down, sport. Tie me kangaroo down.
Can people not forgive??? Even if he did what he what he did, people can change so much and mature of years and people fail not see past it. Can we just enjoy the music and appreciate him for what he is now and not his past?
I'm in my 50's but when I was just a wee lad, I would just wait for this song to come on the radio and me and my Mom would sing with Rolf. I have sung this to myself for 50 years. So glad I found it here. Thank you.
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This man never ages. As he does, he looks better and better. He used to perform at my school around 1972 (in London UK). Very sweet natured man and i wish him well.
I have always loved Rolf. I watched him as a little boy when he presented Rolf Harris Cartoon Time. After that, I watched him for many years in the Animal Hospital series. Such a lovely man. Kind to animals, loving, and a very talented artist and presenter. I miss him.
Two mature ladies, Elsie and Vi who were so sickened by the Harris arrest and trial that they wrote the website www.rolfharrisisinnocent.com Alexander Baron wrote about Harris in great detail, search for, *thelatestnews+rolf-harris-and-the-next-witch-hunt-victim* And again in this article, google: *infotextmanuscripts+djetc+av-rhatroej* A very large website, on the Harris case, can be found by searching for, *rationalthoughtprocess+wordpress+rolf+harris* ... with comments on some of the pages. The Libertarians have a large organisation, they comment on politics on many topics. Their article on Rolf Harris can be found by searching for, *libertarianview+rolf-harris-beyond-reasonable-doubt* Read also the many relevant links on the above page. Another very detailed article can be found by searching for, *freedtom+category+rolf-harris-conviction-safe-innocent* CabernetVoltaire who has written on many topics wrote a Rolf Harris article that can be found by searching for, *stuffireckon+rolf* Thomas Sheridan wrote this article, found by searching for, *thomassheridanofficialblog+blogspot+2015+is-rolf-harris-just-prize-prisoner-for* which also contains detailed comments underneath.
You lot shouldn't assume his suppose "wrong-doings" until an official verdict has been given. Rolf is a great guy, see how much he cared for animals whilst presenting Animal Hospital.
Very sad to see people on here commenting regardless on what he did he was a great performer. Because that is exactly how he got access to a lot of his victims. He used his talent to abuse others.
One interesting detail in this case: the main plaintiff in the case once said that complimenting her on her figure was the same thing as sexually assaulting her. Which does make you wonder a bit about her testimony. Especially since he was convicted solely on the basis of accusations.
metafis Absolutely agree..these men are very sinister, but also very clever at fooling everybody...He had child pornography found on his computer he is a sick evil twisted man just like all the MPs that will now over the next year be arrested for child abuse.
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I can remember watching this on BBC One back in 2006 if memory serves back then he was a national Treasure who would of known that 16 years later his world would of crumbled and he would of gone from a National Treasure to a National Disgrace don’t get me wrong I agree 100% he did wrong and I don’t condone any of it but that’s one hell of a downfall I truly feel sorry for the victims of his crimes Rolf is deceased so end of basically
In December 2022 - Rolf is still alive. The sex offender is 92 years old, has throat cancer, cannot speak or eat, and needs daily care while fighting the disease. He is now in a "gravely sick" condition. But still alive!
@@heyitsmetrousers4399 How can you convict someone without clear evidence and proof in Australia? Normally you are acquitted for lack of evidence if it is not clear whether the perpetrator actually committed the crime. Or did he have a celebrity bonus like Boris Becker in Germany?
Do you have to sullen his reputation further. I remember as a kid watching him tell a story while painting it with a 4 - 6" housebrush on a blank canvas as the story came to an end the picture would come together (black & white TV ) Let us remember him for greater things he was capable of. A very talented artist. Trev New Zealand
Christians say "For a righteous man falls seven times, and rises again, But the wicked stumble in time of calamity. Do not rejoice when your enemy falls, And do not let your heart be glad when he stumbles; Or the LORD will see it and be displeased, And turn His anger away from him." They don't want anger turned away. Any Christians out there - Shut your Christmas pie holes.
Australia - the best place on the Earth! Rolf Harris I met on the 14th of December 2008 at the Sydney Opera, by his last Australian Tour. It was fantastic, after the concert he signed me his CD.
